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ScienceAges 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Use F = mv² ÷ r to calculate the inward centripetal force acting on a mass in uniform circular motion. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. A 24 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 24 kg, r = 4 m → v = 12 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  2. 2. A 66 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 66 kg, r = 11 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  3. 3. A 6 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 6 kg, r = 2 m → v = 12 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  4. 4. A 20 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 20 kg, r = 4 m → v = 10 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  5. 5. A 20 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 20 kg, r = 4 m → v = 12 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  6. 6. A 28 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 28 kg, r = 7 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  7. 7. A 8 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 8 kg, r = 2 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  8. 8. A 22 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 22 kg, r = 11 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  9. 9. A 12 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 12 kg, r = 3 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  10. 10. A 42 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 42 kg, r = 7 m → v = 2 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  11. 11. A 10 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 10 kg, r = 10 m → v = 12 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  12. 12. A 2 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 2 kg, r = 2 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 104730 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
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Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. A 24 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    864 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (24 × 12²) ÷ 4 = 3456 ÷ 4 = 864 N.

  2. 2. A 66 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    384 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (66 × 8²) ÷ 11 = 4224 ÷ 11 = 384 N.

  3. 3. A 6 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    432 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (6 × 12²) ÷ 2 = 864 ÷ 2 = 432 N.

  4. 4. A 20 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    500 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (20 × 10²) ÷ 4 = 2000 ÷ 4 = 500 N.

  5. 5. A 20 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    720 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (20 × 12²) ÷ 4 = 2880 ÷ 4 = 720 N.

  6. 6. A 28 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    196 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (28 × 7²) ÷ 7 = 1372 ÷ 7 = 196 N.

  7. 7. A 8 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    64 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (8 × 4²) ÷ 2 = 128 ÷ 2 = 64 N.

  8. 8. A 22 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    98 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (22 × 7²) ÷ 11 = 1078 ÷ 11 = 98 N.

  9. 9. A 12 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    64 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (12 × 4²) ÷ 3 = 192 ÷ 3 = 64 N.

  10. 10. A 42 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    24 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (42 × 2²) ÷ 7 = 168 ÷ 7 = 24 N.

  11. 11. A 10 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    144 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (10 × 12²) ÷ 10 = 1440 ÷ 10 = 144 N.

  12. 12. A 2 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    81 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (2 × 9²) ÷ 2 = 162 ÷ 2 = 81 N.

12 questions · Seed 104730 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification